Abstract: A gas sensor comprises a first pump cell 6 including first internal and external electrodes 10 and 11 so formed as to face from inside and outside a first flow passage 2, respectively, for pumping oxygen out from, and into, the first flow passage, and a second pump cell 8 including second internal and external electrodes 14 and 15 so formed as to face from inside and outside a second flow passage 4 communicating with the first flow passage through a diffusion resistance, wherein a measurement gas component undergoes reaction inside the second flow passage 4 and a current corresponding to the concentration of the measurement gas component flows between the electrodes 14 and 15 through the oxygen ion conductor. At least a part of the first internal electrode 10 contains a platinum group element and Cu.

Abstract: A gas sensor which can detect the concentration of a combustible gas component in a measurement gas with high accuracy even when the oxygen concentration of the measurement gas or the element temperature changes and which has an excellent response in detecting the combustible gas component is disclosed. In a gas sensor 1, the oxygen concentration of a measurement gas is adjusted to a predetermined level within a first processing space 9 through operation of a first oxygen pump element 3. The measurement gas having an adjusted oxygen concentration is then introduced into a second processing space 10, where a combustible gas component is burned through the assistance of electrodes 16 and 17 functioning as oxidation catalyst sections. Constant voltage is applied to a combustible gas component concentration detection element 5.

Abstract: A gas sensor comprising a proton-conductive layer 5 formed of a polymer electrolyte; first and second electrodes 3 and 4 disposed in contact with the proton-conductive layer 5 and having a function of dissociating hydrogen; a gas-diffusion-rate limiting layer 2 disposed between a measurement gas atmosphere and the first electrode 3 and adapted to diffuse the gas under measurement to the first electrode 3 in a diffusion-rate limited state; and a dense support 1 supporting these elements. Hydrogen gas having reached the first electrode 3 via the gas-diffusion-rate limiting layer 2 is dissociated into protons by virtue of the catalytic action of Pt contained in the electrode and the voltage applied to the first electrode 3, and the generated protons are pumped to the second electrode 4 via the proton-conductive layer 5 and are converted to hydrogen gas, which diffuses into the measurement gas atmosphere.

Abstract: Disclosed is an LaGaO3 sintered body which comprises lanthanum, gallium, oxygen and at least one of other elements, and has at least three crystal phases of different composition formula.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes a first processing chamber 3 into which a gas under measurement is introduced through a first gas passage 2; a second processing chamber 5 into which the gas is introduced from the first processing chamber 3 through a second gas passage 4 and in which combustible gas components burn; a third gas passage 15 for introducing O2 into the second processing chamber 5 under diffusion resistance; oxygen pump element 12 adapted to pump out O2 from or pump into the first processing chamber 3 on the basis of an output from an oxygen-concentration sensor 13, which senses the oxygen concentration of the gas introduced into the second processing chamber 5, to thereby control the oxygen concentration of the gas; and a second oxygen pump including a second inner electrode 10 and a second outer electrode 11 formed on an oxygen-ion conductor 1 in such a manner as to face the interior and exterior, respectively, of the second processing chamber 5, and adapted to pump out O2 which remains unconsumed in burn

Abstract: A flow rate and flow velocity measurement device has a divided flow pipe 332 which is attached so as to be orthogonal to an intake pipe 1 of an engine, and into which a flow in the intake pipe 1 is introduced, an inlet plate 334 which extends in a direction orthogonal to a flow direction in the intake pipe 1 and forms a U-shape form pipe passage in the divided flow pipe 332, and a detection element 331 which is disposed so as to be exposed to a flow in the divided flow pipe 332 outside the intake pipe 1 and detects a flow rate and a flow velocity, wherein one end of the inlet plate 334 protrudes into the intake pipe 1 while passing a top opening of the divided flow pipe 332, and the divided flow pipe 332 has a flow passage structure symmetrical with the detection element 331 being made a center, so that an equivalent detection element 331 output is obtained in regard to both cases in which a fluid flows through the intake pipe 1 in a normal direction and a reverse direction.

Abstract: A gas concentration sensor comprises an ultrasonic element 33 opposite a reflection surface 34. A depression 34a is formed on an edge portion of a reflection surface 34 which is in contact with a side wall of a measurement chamber 32 such that a bottom surface of the depression 34a is substantially in parallel with the reflection surface 34. The distance between the ultrasonic element 33 and the edge portion of the reflection surface 34 becomes greater than the distance between the ultrasonic element 33 and a central portion of the reflection surface 34. As a result, an indirect wave, which impinges obliquely on the side wall of the measurement chamber 32 and propagates along the side wall, is reflected from the bottom surface of the depression 34a and propagates.

Abstract: The gas sensor 1 has the following constituent features: (1) first processing space 9: a measurement gas is introduced thereinto via a first gas passage 11; (2) second processing space 10: a gas contained in the first processing space 9 is introduced thereinto via a second gas passage 13; (3) oxygen concentration detection element 4: adapted to measure the oxygen concentration of a gas contained in the first processing space 9; (4) oxygen pumping element 3: adapted to reduce the oxygen concentration of the measurement gas introduced into the first processing space 9 within a range such that water vapor contained in the measurement gas is not substantially decomposed; (5) oxidation catalyst section 16: adapted to accelerate combustion of a combustible gas component contained in a gas introduced into the second processing space 10; and (6) combustible gas component concentration detection element 5: a constant voltage is applied thereto, and element 5 has an output current which varies according to the amount o

Abstract: An NOx sensor capable of accurately determining the concentration of NOx contained in a gas to be analyzed (measurement gas) using a simple circuit. The NOx sensor includes a first measurement space and a second measurement space. The first measurement space communicates with the measurement gas via a first diffusion controlling layer, and the second measurement space communicates with the first measurement space via a second diffusion controlling layer. A first pumping current IP1 is controlled such that an output from a Vs cell is used as a reference voltage VC0 to control the amount of oxygen flowing into the second measurement space at a constant level. A constant voltage is applied to the second pumping cell so as to decompose the NOx component of the measurement gas contained in the second measurement space, and to pump out the resulting oxygen from the second measurement space. Accordingly, the concentration of NOx contained in the measurement gas can be obtained from second pumping current IP2.

Abstract: This is a method and apparatus for accurately determining a NOx concentration of a measurement gas that contains H2O and/or CO2, without being affected by a dissociation of H2O and/or CO2.

Abstract: A gas sensor 1 including a first processing space 9; a first gas passage 11; a second processing space 10; a second gas passage 13; an oxygen concentration detection element 4; a first oxygen pumping element 3 adapted to reduce the oxygen concentration of exhaust gas introduced into the first processing space 9 within a range such that a water vapor contained in the measurement gas is not substantially decomposed; an oxygen catalyst section 16; and a combustible gas component concentration information generation/output section 5. Also disclosed is a gas sensor system including the above gas sensor and first oxygen pumping operation control means for adjusting the oxygen concentration of the measurement gas introduced into the first processing space within a range such that water vapor contained in the measuring gas is not substantially decomposed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for measuring the concentration of a constituent to be detected in exhaust gas, which apparatus is capable of detecting with a high accuracy the concentration of the constituent to be detected in exhaust gas even though oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas varies. In an exhaust gas sensor 1 for use in the measuring apparatus, exhaust gas is introduced into spaces 15, 16 on both sides of an oxygen concentration cell element 4, and the oxidation catalyst activities of first to third electrodes 11 to 13 are adjusted so that there occurs a difference between the space 15 and the space 16 in consumption of the constituent to be detected, which consumption is caused by the oxidation of the constituent. Thus a concentration cell electromotive force is generated in the oxygen concentration cell element 4, and an oxygen pump element 3 pumps oxygen into or out of the space 15 so that the electromotive force is held at an target value EC not more than 10 mV.

Abstract: In the vehicle-lamp lighting-on device, a body case has a connection opening formed in the front end thereof. A lighting-on transformer is disposed within the body case. The transformer includes a core housing with an iron core and a coil bobbin with a secondary coil wound thereon. The connection opening of the body case is shielded at the front end of the lighting-on transformer. A socket for receiving a vehicle discharge lamp includes a high-voltage terminal and low-voltage terminals. When the socket is inserted into the connection opening of the body case, the high-voltage terminal of the socket is connected to the high-voltage side terminal of the lighting-on transformer, and the low-voltage terminals are connected to the low-voltage side terminals. The connection opening of the body case is shielded by the front surface (made of insulating material) of the lighting-on transformer.

Abstract: A small-sized inexpensive nitrogen oxide concentration sensor capable of measuring the concentration of the nitrogen oxide in a measuring gas to a high accuracy. A first oxygen pumping cell, an oxygen concentration measuring cell and a second oxygen pumping cell are formed in different solid electrolyte layers of zirconia and electrodes of oxygen concentration measuring cell are isolated from electrodes of the oxygen pumping cells by insulating film.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an exhaust gas sensor which comprises an oxygen pump cell made of solid electrolyte having an oxygen ion conductivity, an oxygen sensor cell made of solid electrolyte having an oxygen ion conductivity and disposed in opposition to the pump cell in such a manner as to define therebetween a detection space, and a semiconductor detection element made of oxide semiconductor and disposed in the detection space for detecting a predetermined detected substance in the exhaust gas introduced to the detection space. The concentration of oxygen in the detection space is regulated so as to be included within a predetermined range through control of charge or discharge of oxygen into or from the detection space by means of the oxygen pump cell on the basis of the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gas, which is detected by the oxygen sensor cell.

Abstract: There is described a gas-component concentration sensor, a method of using the sensor, and a method of manufacturing a particular electrode of the sensor, wherein the sensor comprises:a first measurement chamber, an oxygen partial-pressure detection electrode in the first measurement chamber, a first oxygen-ion pump cell within and outside the first measurement such that in response to a voltage applied between the pair electrodes the cell pumps out oxygen to an extent such that a gas component such as NO.sub.x partially decomposes in said first measurement chamber in an amount of not more than 40 wt.

Abstract: In a high-voltage transformer, an insulating ring is placed on and along the inner surface of the core housing, and gaps are formed between the tips of the flange-like plates of the coil bobbin and the inner side of the insulating ring. With such a construction, the gaps and the insulating ring are provided between the coil bobbin and the inner wall of the core housing, so that the flange-like plates of the coil bobbin do not come in contact with the inner surface of cylindrical wall of the core housing. Therefore, a surface distance of the coil bobbin ranges to a contact surface of the coil bobbin where it comes in contact with the front wall of the core housing. The surface distance is elongated. The voltage drop by the creepage discharge does no occur.

Abstract: A socket portion is provided to project from one side surface of a transformer receiving portion to thereby form a body case, and a lighting transformer is received in the transformer receiving portion so that a high voltage side output end of a secondary coil of the lighting transformer is electrically connected to a terminal provided in the socket portion and a primary coil of the lighting transformer is connected to an external electric path directly or through a circuit portion. Accordingly, the transformer receiving portion and the socket portion are integrally formed with each other to thereby form a unit structure.

Abstract: An electrolyzer for producing alkaline and/or acidic water by way of electrolysis of water. The electrolyzer (36) comprises a pair of planar electrodes (98; 100; 102) which are arranged opposite to each other without intervening a membrane therebetween. To remove scale such as calcium carbonate deposited during electrolysis on the electrodes (98; 100; 102), an electric potential of a reversed polarity is applied to the electrodes everyday at night and/or at the time when water is fed for the first time in the morning of the following day. During use of the electrolytic cell, the duration of electrolysis in the alkaline water supply mode and the duration of electrolysis in the acidic water supply mode, with a limit of maximum 30 seconds, are cumulated in a countervailing manner. For descaling, an electric potential of the polarity opposite to the polarity of the mode which is operated for a longer period of time is applied to the electrodes.

Abstract: In a spark plug having a center electrode and an outer electrode, at least one of which is made of a nickel-alloyed clad and a thermally conductive copper-alloyed core embedded in the nickel-alloyed clad, the copper-alloyed core includes an additive metal which forms a supersaturated solid solution with a copper metal in which the additive metal or an intermetallic compound is precipitated from the copper phase, and substantially evenly dispersed.